A Life Saved and Serving Others
Combatives not only served to preserve Donnie Bowen’s life, they became his life.
After serving twenty-two years in the United States Army—fourteen of which were
spent in the Special Forces—his combative skills moved from the battlefield to the
mat, and from the mat to the screen.
Donnie competed in PanAm Jiu Jitsu and All Army Combatives, where he was titled
the lightweight champion in 2010. He has since competed in the California World
Championship and the World Masters in Las Vegas.
He took this competitive spirit to the screen as a competitor on Maximum Warrior, the
one-of-a-kind military reality competition that tests ten of America's most elite
military operators. He is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, and was featured in an
Army commercial, he is recognized in the credits of the movie “Thank You for Your
Service”, Most recently, Donnie was chosen as a Special Forces Combative expert for
the History Channel’s, The Selection: Special Operations Experiment.
While Donnie Bowen has held positions of honor on and off the mat, his humility is
what positions him to serve his community and fellow soldiers with such great
passion. He and his wife, Michelle, started the Dojo, Bowen Combative Arts Academy,
and the non-profit, Battleground Perazim Inc. Combat FIT.
Donnie is a warrior, with or without a uniform. His heart is not to take the fight out of
the soldier, but to teach them what is worth fighting for in life. In Donnie’s own words,
“Combatives enable strength and confidence to stand up for their faith and what
means most to them. Instead of being a victim, be empowered to decide if you want to
bite back.”
Michelle Bowen knows firsthand what it means to be married to a special ops soldier. 33 years of marriage, four children, and 9 grandchildren later, the dynamic of their relationship stands strong under God by trial & error, and from tragedy to triumph. Their story is a reflection of perseverance - no matter the odds.
What they have learned, they have lived and now teach.
While the world and its military sees nothing but the soldier, the loving Father in
heaven sees a beautiful masterpiece beside him, and joined to him.
Through this personal ministry, the Lord uses Michelle to reach into the brokenness
and bring healing to the woman herself, to marriages, and to families of which these
women represent.
Donnie and Michelle reside in Clarksville, Tennessee with their two daughters. They
have four children and currently, 9 grandchildren. One of their daughters married to
an Army Combat Medic, their eldest son serves in the United States Army. Their
youngest son serves in the United States Air Force.